Mike Brace
CBE, OBE

Areas of Interest

Honorary Award

Biography

Mike Brace CBE has made an outstanding contribution to sport and charity.

His presence in the rapidly-expanding Third Sector has made the news headlines particularly in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Over his lifetime, he has helped people who are blind or partially sighted to make the most of their talents.

Mike was born in Hackney, North London in 1950. He went to a local school and spent as much time playing sport as he did on his academic work. He lost his sight at the age of ten following a firework accident near his home in Hackney. He went to a specialist school to continue his education, and then to Pembridge Place to study shorthand.

Overcoming many challenges, he joined the Civil Service where he worked for six years as a shorthand typist. At the same time he studied for and gained two A levels. He then went onto higher education at North London Polytechnic where he studied Social Work.

Since 1976, Mike has had two careers. One in employment as a social worker, team manager and ultimately as Assistant Director for Social Services in a London Borough, before moving to the voluntary sector in 2001. In this sector, He worked, until his retirement in 2012, as Chief Executive of VISION 2020 UK, the umbrella organisation which facilitates greater collaboration and co-operation between organisations which focus on vision impairment within the UK. His second career sees him as a sportsman, manager and administrator in a number of sports.

Mike has used his passion for sport as his support ever since his accident to aid his adjustment and rehabilitation and his love of and involvement in sport has continued for the past 40 years.

He represented Britain in five Winter Paralympic Games, managed at a further eight Paralympic Games, was Chairman of Paralympics GB from 2001 to 2008, and was a Board member of London 2012 from 2003 until 2009.

Mike's first book 'Where there's A Will' was published in 1980. He was featured on 'This is Your Life' in 1982 and was awarded the OBE for Services to sport in 2005 and the CBE in 2009, also for services to sport. Mike is also an active after dinner speaker, which he says is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of issues affecting disabled people as well as raising money for his various charities.

During his long sporting career, Mike has undertaken over 50 different sports ranging from surfing and sailing, to skiing and cricket. Mike was the National Champion at race walking for many years and still holds many of the records for a totally blind walker. He enjoys cricket particularly and plays for his club Metro Sports Club who have been National Club League and Cup Champions many times.

His many sporting achievements include completing two London Marathons, two ski marathons in Norway and Switzerland and the most challenging - the Devises to Westminster Canoe Marathon over 125 miles. He first represented Britain at cross-country skiing in the first Winter Paralympics in 1976 and then represented his country in three World Championships, five Paralympics and two European Championships.

Mike was a member of the Board of the successful 2012 Bid Team and was a full board member of the London Organising Committee until 2009. He has been appointed non-executive director of many organisations for his extensive sporting and charity credentials including creative digital agency Nemisys and Connection Engine, which enables people with visual impairments or mobility issues to be able to broadcast live to the Internet, on any phone, anywhere.

He is currently a director of the UK Anti-doping Agency (UKAD), a governor of the University of East London, and a trustee of the Primary Club, East London Vision, the British Judo Council Foundation.

He has also been honoured for his work in the eye health and vision impairment sector by being made an honorary Fellow of the College of Optometrists and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Citation

"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Mike Brace CBE for the award of Honorary Doctor of Business Administration.

Mike Brace CBE has made an outstanding contribution to sport and charity.

His presence in the rapidly-expanding Third Sector has made the news headlines particularly in the run up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Over his lifetime, he has helped people who are blind or partially sighted to make the most of their talents.

Mike was born in Hackney, North London in 1950. He went to a local school and spent as much time playing sport as he did on his academic work. He lost his sight at the age of ten following a firework accident near his home in Hackney. He went to a specialist school to continue his education, and then to Pembridge Place to study shorthand. Overcoming many challenges, he joined the Civil Service where he worked for six years as a shorthand typist. At the same time he studied for and gained two A levels. He then went onto higher education at North London Polytechnic where he studied Social Work.

Since 1976, Mike has had two careers. One in employment as a social worker, team manager and ultimately as Assistant Director for Social Services in a London Borough, before taking up his current post as Chief Executive of VISION 2020 UK, the umbrella organisation which facilitates greater collaboration and co-operation between organisations which focus on vision impairment within the UK. His second career sees him as a sportsman, manager and administrator in a number of sports.

Mike has used his passion for sport as his support ever since his accident to aid his adjustment and rehabilitation and his love of and involvement in sport has continued for the past 40 years.

He represented Britain in five Winter Paralympic Games, managed at a further eight Paralympic Games, was Chairman of Paralympics GB from 2001 to 2008, and was a Board member of London 2012 from 2003 until 2009.

Mike's first book 'Where there's A Will' was published in 1980. He was featured on 'This is Your Life' in 1981 and was awarded the OBE for Services to sport in 2005 and the CBE in 2009, also for services to sport. Mike is also an active after dinner speaker, which he says is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of issues affecting disabled people as well as raising money for his various charities.

During his long and sporting career, Mike has undertaken over 50 different sports ranging from surfing and sailing, to skiing and cricket. Mike was the National Champion at race walking for many years and still holds many of the records for a totally blind walker. He enjoys cricket particularly and plays for his club Metro Sports Club who have been National Club League and Cup Champions many times.

His many sporting achievements include completing two London Marathons, two ski marathons in Norway and Switzerland and the most challenging - the Devises to Westminster Canoe Marathon over 125 miles. He first represented Britain at cross-country skiing in the first Winter Paralympics in 1976 and then represented his country in three World Championships, six Paralympics and two European Championships.

He has inspired many paralympic athletes during his involvement in sport including runner Bob Matthews MBE who has gained eight paralympic gold medals and countless world records.

Mike was a member of the Board of the successful 2012 Bid Team and was a full board member of the London Organising Committee until 2009. He has been appointed non-executive director of many organisations for his extensive sporting and charity credentials including creative digital agency Nemisys and its subsidiary, ipadio which enables people with visual impairments or mobility issues to be able to broadcast live to the Internet, on any phone, anywhere.

Mike is a charity director, sportsman and author. He is a sporting hero and an inspiration to all.

Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Mike Brace CBE for the award of Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa."

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